08 Mar 201904:19am IST

08 Mar 201904:19am IST

Report byNicole Remedios nicole@herald-goa.com

In the bustling bazaars, in the teeming tintos, in banks and offices and in hotels and restaurants, in cafes and art galleries, in schools and colleges and in businesses of their own, women are comfortable owners of their individual spaces. While this should be a given in any civilized society, it isn’t quite that in many parts of India
Goa clearly offers a work environment for women like very few cities in India do. Cafe speaks to women across age groups and professions in how it feels to work in Goa.
On women’s day, we on behalf of the women of Goa also pay tribute to one of Goa’s greatest son’s Mario Miranda and publish, on one his iconic illustrations ‘The Market place’ which depicts women who may not go to an office but do work, our fisherwomen and also those who buy from them to keep their loved ones well fed. Cheers to the women who run our homes.

Over to the ladies:‘I
feel mentally and morally secure’

Metro cities have their own advantages of working with good
infrastructure, funds, manpower, skills, etc. But, I personally feel it’s
better to work in places like Goa, that gives you a good opportunity to have a
perfect work-life balance. It’s hassle-free for women in a way that there is
more trust among the local people; the culture is more welcoming, easier to
focus on the right things and not be preoccupied with competition/ commute/
safety, etc.

Of course, Goa has its own challenges but they’re at a different
scale and the people here are simply just good people. Plus you see more women
as you move around, and it creates a strong sense of belonging. I remember when
I was working on getting my company registered here; I had help from everyone,
right from the guy who sold me the stamp paper to the guy delivering the PAN
card. This gives a sense of safety from a very different angle, it’s more of
mental and morale security, it’s a strong sense of community and collective
growth.

Zhen Paintal

Co-founder at Inspire Crew, India

Sr. Community Manager at 91springboard, Panjim

Goa is non threatening and non- judgmental

Goan society combines a non-judgmental cultural respect for
women with a matter-of-fact acceptance of us in any situation - working or
otherwise. Ths should be a given but it’s not in many parts of India. Women are
people - gender does not become the primary factor and that provides a feeling
of freedom and comfort. It is rather akin to Bombay in that. Here the only
spaces that feel slightly threatening are where are large number of domestic
male tourists have gathered. From my experience, even among the working
classes, women feel much more confident and free in work spaces in Goa than in
other cities and states.

I have often rode my scooter home on lonely roads in the dark, I
have never been pushed and shoved or touched inappropriately in public
transport, I have eaten alone in restaurants without garnering stares. Mainly,
the lack of a constant patronising and patriarchal attitude in social
interactions with men is a difference from some other cities.

Lina Vincent

Historian
and curator for Arts management

‘Goa is safe, but Metros are an experience’

Since Goa is a small place, everyone knows everyone and help is
just a call away. I think people in Goa are more considerate. There are many
times I have finished work late and my colleagues have offered to follow me
home, this gesture is reassuring but at the same time I can’t wait for the day
I don’t need to be followed if I’m driving home late, because to be honest, I
prefer the work life in metros. The drive, ambition and zeal that youngsters
have to make it big in the metros are something we don’t really see in Goa. I
had a short stint in Mumbai and there was so much I learnt there that I apply
to my work here.

Ishita Godinho

Community
Development and Communication Manager, FC Goa Foundation

‘Goa gives a work-life balance for women’

Goa is all about women equality and women empowerment, men and
women have an equal status in all walks of life. Working with a legendary and
iconic brand in Goa, I have always been recognized only on merit irrespective
of my gender. I always believe that one should have a work-life balance and Goa
is the ideal place to achieve this. Goa gives women of all ages the space to
explore themselves in various fields beyond working hours.

Doris D’Souza

PR Manager- Taj, Goa

‘Outsiders can sometimes be a nuisance to Goa’

Goa has been a safe haven for women to work. The safety in Goa
women have been enjoying,is deep rooted in the respect and value system of our
homes and education system, where men are taught to respect women, their
independence and work.

Learning of the various instances in Metro Cities that women
face from travelling to harassment at work places, Goa is still safe so far but
with the influx of outsiders coming to Goa, a threat looms for women. Following
a recent attack on a couple and rape of the woman by three men all from outside
Goa who were nabbed by the Police eventually sheds a dark light on the security
of women and how the future may unfold.

As my work requires travel and being out late, on a personal
level till date I have never experienced any untoward experience and have
always felt safe.

Yulette Coutinho

Advocate

‘Goa ensures Women’s safety’

Goa is safe as people are helpful, caring and there’s no gender
discrimination.

I rode to work to Vasco from Margao everyday as I finish work
late. One day my bike broke down on the Zuari road which is quite isolated at 9
pm. I was helped by some labourers to push my bike to a safe place, and they
waited on the highway with me till I got a bus. Total strangers. But were my
angels in disguise! In a metro no one would even care to stop. However, though
travelling is stressful is more in a metro, it has ample opportunities for
doing courses and indulging in hobbies after work; which are limited in Goa.
Most villages are dead by seven!!!